Towards the Winter Cabin of Serenity and Madness, Cinderella Runs - Chapter 40
Biting her lower lip, Roel wondered how he could make it to the village with his injuries. The thought of Kyden limping down the mountain was already painful.
“Should I go instead?”
Roel cautiously suggested. Kyden had been to the village several times without noticing any rumors about her, which gave her confidence.
Could it be that the villagers also didn’t know about her actions? Maybe enough time had passed, and they had forgotten. If she wore a cloak to hide her face, perhaps she wouldn’t be recognized.
She gained courage by these thoughts.
However, Kyden’s expression hardened dangerously, and he furrowed his brow.
“Absolutely not.”
“Why can’t I go…?”
“….There are many wild animals in the woods. What if something happens to you on the way down?”
“No matter what, it’s still better than Kyden going down injured.”
It was much better for Roel to go than the injured Kyden.
But Kyden remained stern and insisted, “You planning to run away while I’m injured?”
“What, what are you talking about? I wouldn’t do that. I really won’t.”
“If it’s not that, then why do you want to go down to the village you’ve been avoiding?”
“I need to buy medicine…”
“I’m telling you I’m fine. Why can’t you just stay put as I told you?”
His sharp tone caused Roel’s heart to sink.
“…”
Roel clenched her mouth shut as tears welled up in her eyes. It hurt her that her intentions were misunderstood.
Kyden glanced at her and softened his voice realizing his mistake.
“Anyway, you can’t go down to the village.”
“…”
“I’m tired, let’s just go to sleep.”
He rubbed his forehead and lay down first, turning his back to her, as if he didn’t want to talk anymore.
Roel wanted to speak her heart and clear the misunderstanding, but seeing him turn his back, she found herself speechless. After sobbing quietly, she eventually lay down.
As she looked at his back, feeling cold and detached, she slowly crept closer to him. Although she buried her face in his back, Kyden did not turn around.
She was overwhelmed with sudden sadness. Roel soon noticed that Kyden was exhaling hot breaths. His skin was growing warmer; a fever was possibly setting in from his wounds.
She couldn’t fall asleep.
She was worried about the injured Kyden, and how he didn’t hold her and dreadful thoughts kept her awake.
Despite being exhausted to the point of collapse, her heavy eyelids couldn’t bring sleep as countless thoughts hammered in her head all night.
Late at night, Roel couldn’t bear just watching him suffer and got up from the bed.
‘I need to go to the village.’
Roel decided firmly. Although Kyden would be angry, caring for his wounds seemed more important.
She also thought that if she returned without fleeing, it might stop his suspicions. Just as his kindness had gradually eased her heart, she felt the need to earn his trust.
Roel moved silently. She dressed cautiously, wrapping a scarf around her neck, tying her hair up, and pulling a hat down to cover her face. She even took some money from Kyden’s pocket.
Before leaving the cabin, she turned back, considering that Kyden might wake up and be startled, so she decided to leave a note.
[I’m going to the village to buy medicine. I’ll be back soon. I promise. Please trust me.]
After pressing her true feelings into the note, she stepped out of the cabin.
She took a deep breath from the cold dawn air that felt sharp. Her mind that was dizzy from a sleepless night went clear.
“I just need to go and return quickly.”
She comforted her own nerves as she descended the mountain. The path was easier now that much of the snow had melted.
It meant that the painful winter was finally ending.
* * *
As the village came into view, Roel’s heart sank, and her steps halted.
It was the village she had fled from in fear, the place she thought she would never return to.
She had steeled her mind while descending the mountain, but seeing the village made her body recoil. Her feet wouldn’t move.
After hesitating for a while, Roel bit her inner cheek hard. She couldn’t just turn back after coming this far.
‘Idiot, are you really going to turn back after coming all this way?’
Roel scolded herself for being a coward as she thought of the injured Kyden.
She moved forward with difficulty. It felt like weights were tied to her ankles. Her injured ankle throbbed painfully.
‘I’m such a coward. I just need to quickly buy the medicine and go back…’
No one knows. There might not have been any rumors at all. Kyden doesn’t know anything. So, it’s okay.
With these thoughts, she entered the village. As she set foot in familiar territory, she hastened her steps, rushing to buy the medicine and leave as quickly as someone escaping a house fire.
As she saw the pharmacy, Roel’s face brightened. It was early morning, and the door was still closed. Unable to wait for it to open, Roel knocked on the pharmacy door.
Bang, bang, bang!
After a long moment of knocking, an irritated voice came from inside.
“Who is it?! We haven’t even opened yet!”
“Hello! I’m really sorry, but I need some medicine urgently…”
Roel hurriedly adjusted her hat as she spoke.
